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Silent Sin cover art

Silent Sin

By: E.J. Russell
Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux
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Summary

When tailor Marvin Gottschalk abandoned New York City for the brash boom town of silent film-era Hollywood, he never imagined he'd end up on screen as Martin Brentwood, one of the fledgling film industry's most popular actors. Five years later, a cynical Martin despairs of finding anything genuine in a town where truth is defined by studio politics and publicity. Then he meets Robbie Goodman. 

Robbie fled Idaho after a run-in with the law. A chance encounter leads him to the film studio, where he lands a job as a chauffeur. But one look at Martin and he's convinced he's likely to run afoul of those same laws - laws that brand his desires indecent, deviant...sinful. 

Martin and Robbie embark on a cautious relationship, cocooned in Hollywood's clandestine gay fraternity, careful to hide from the studio boss, a rival actor, and reporters on the lookout for a juicy story. But when tragedy and scandal rock the town, igniting a morality-based witch hunt fueled by a remorseless press, the studio brass will sacrifice even the greatest careers to defend their endangered empire. Robbie and Martin stand no chance against the firestorm - unless they stand together. 

CW: Contains threatened sexual assault, off-page violence, and drug abuse.

©2020 Ellen J Russell (P)2021 Ellen J Russell
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

Critic reviews

"I love historical romance, especially when it's done well, and this is one of the best and most unique stories I've read in a long time! The world building and attention to detail had me immersed in the silent film era from the very beginning, and I fell hard and fast for Robbie and Martin, who are navigating their way through love and Hollywood in a way that feels incredibly relevant and timely, even a hundred years later!" (May Archer, author of the best-selling Love in O'Leary series)

What listeners say about Silent Sin

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Loved it!

Historical isn't a genre to grab my attention, but this book sure had it and kept it. I love the dynamic between an older, experienced man and a younger, smart, and mature man. This was just perfectly written, with all of the pining looks and under-the-table touches. I definitely recommend this listen. And Greg Boudreaux was brilliant as always!

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I loved the detailed descriptions of the places!

Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted the AUDIO file of this book.

There comes along, once in a while, a book that challenges my need for the smexy times, for lots of smexy times. This is such a book.

Oh don't get me wrong, there is passion and steam a-plenty, and some much romance. But once Martin and Robbie get down to it, it all fades to grey and I LOVED that it did! I really did enjoy NOT getting down and dirty with these men, and it made a wonderful change.

I loved that Robbie's history takes a bit longer to be revealed than Martin's. While there are many more clues about Martin's, Robbie's is a little vague.

I loved the research that obviously went into this book! I did indeed Google Mr Arbuckle and whether he was charged as he was in this book and he was! 3 times, twice with hung juries and the third time he was acquitted. I Googled the morality clause too. Ms Russell went to a good deal of trouble to get things right! Even the murder that occurs (off screen, minor named character)

I loved the supporting cast. Dottie, Evie and Sid all played a part to keep Robbie and Martin together, even if Martin ran away.

I loved the detailed descriptions of the places they were filming, and the things they had to do!

And finally, I loved the narration. Greg Boudreaux is a firm favourite of mine, and he never lets me down. His voices for Martin now, and then, were spot on. Robbie's voice was young at the beginning but he soon grows up! Boudreaux gets over all of the instant attraction between Robbie and Martin, and the ever growing friendship, that turns into a relationship. He gets over all that smexy time we do NOT get, in a few words, with a certain tone and I loved that!

I only read one other book by this author, and that was a 4 star read but this? This far surpasses that one, so...

5 stars for the book
5 stars for the narration

*same worded review will appear elsewhere

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A Sweet Historical Romance with Hollywood Glam

This is the first fictional book I’ve ever read set within the glam and lights of early Hollywood. E.J. Russell put a lot of care and effort in getting historical details right which only enriched the story further. The plot was focused on the obstacles the two main characters faced in achieving their happy ending within a world hostile to their love. Although the couple was never directly threatened, the stress and feeling of dread of being found out creates a heavy atmosphere at times. This really helps to grow and develop the characters, and really endeared them to me. This is a fascinating book with a well earned happy ending.

The audiobook was narrated by Greg Boudreaux who gives a fabulous performance. The audiobook production was well done and I enjoyed listening to the book immensely.

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A triumph!

Mystery, thrill, intrigue, innocence, the forbidden...I was hooked from the start and surprisingly couldn't put the book down.

I loved the innocence and pure goodness that encapsulates Robbie. From hard times to being thrown into the whirlwind and deception that was Hollywood he still keeps his good heart.

I like the hints, trials and tribulations with references to real 1920s Hollywood and the intrigue of Roscoe and Haines and what effect it could have had on those in the industry.

I loved Dottie and her sass, drive, boldness and quirky ways. I like to think she could have been based on a real person (woman) who made her dreams come true through pure grit and determination.

I'm not really one for historical romance but this one enthralled me and I love the golden age if Hollywood as the backdrop. I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it to any romance reader or Hollywood lover. While the passion and desire is there, with chemistry and build up; there is very little on page s3x, it's mentioned and alluded to but not as much as other romances I've read which surprised me but was still so sweet and endearing to read.

I'm honestly surprised just how much I loved this book. It's given me a great interest in historical Hollywood, unsolved murders and a new interest in historical romance I look forward to exploring. Fantastic!

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Listener received this title free

Silent Sin

Good, original story that was well narrated. I enjoyed the listening experience. It was a tad slow to start for me, but I get in those moods sometimes, so I’m pretty sure that it's a me thing—overall, a good read.

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Fantastic

I adored this. Hollywood in the 20s. What could be more perfect? There was enough talk of real life events to make this feel like a biography rather than fiction. The romance was gentle but well-developed. Robbie's rags to riches rise from vagrant to reluctant actor was superb.
The setting, the leads, the secondary characters, the incidental events surrounding the characters were perfectly written. I felt I was in 20s Hollywood.
The narrator was excellent, imbuing Robbie with a genuine goodness and naivety and Martin with a blasé world weariness.
Most of the intimate scenes are fade to black and that suited the story and writing style.
A truly lovely story and one I'll be returning to time and time again.

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  • XG
  • 09-01-22
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A must heard!

I have read every single book written by Ms Russell and I can tell you that it is always a must for me because I know that regardless of the topic, genre or trope I will love it for sure even historical romance that it is not my favorite topic. This story was captivating, with a very interesting plot in the ambiance of the Hollywood in the 1920's in which the author played with all the risk that a gay relationship can bring at that time. It was beautiful witnessing Martin and Robbie standing up and fighting to be together. Mr Boudreaux caught perfectly the essence of the characters and made a wonderful performance. Great reading and an outstanding narration!

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So Atmospheric

Original book review below, but I definitely recommend picking up the audio on this one! Greg Boudreaux is one of those narrators that you just know is gonna knock it out of the park, and this was no exception. I absolutely felt like it was back in old Hollywood and was easily able to differentiate between characters and scenes.

Original Book Review:
3.5 Stars.

This book is extremely atmospheric. You’re transported back to silent movie era Hollywood, and Russell definitely did her research and created a wonderful story. It’s more of a historical novel than a romance, very low steam and fade to black, and it’s still a very good story.

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A Forbidden Love

MM, Historical, Romance. A great story based in 1920's Hollywood, a difficult time to be gay. A thought provoking story with lots of emotion, love and heat. Some angst, a true love story brilliantly written with great narration by Greg Boudreaux. Difficult subjects covered . Thoroughly enjoyed.

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A really enjoyable listen

Lovely characters,,some sad.and. Some happy events. A great portrayal of the times. I felt that I was able to picture this time in history as I was a fan of the era in cinema .

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